Quick Reads

Spin-off, a new company formed when a parent company carves out a portion of its business, which then operates as an independent company. Spin-offs face unique environmental, health, and safety (EHS) challenges. Because spin-offs are new companies with different business interests and priorities than their parent company, a new EHS strategy and supporting programs must[continue reading…]

The Air Shepherd program in Africa is using drones and data analytics to protect rhinos and elephants. Using sophisticated three-aircraft operating teams that work with rangers on the ground, drones are flown over high probability poaching areas, allowing rangers to intercept suspects before a poaching incident occurs. Air Shepherd drone teams go through months of[continue reading…]

Thank you to all of the authors, artists, and readers who have contributed to the success of the EHS Journal. In January 2016, we crossed the 1 million page-view threshold, a great achievement for us all. Thank you very much for sharing your insight and knowledge with your peers. − Michael Bittner, CPEA, Editor [continue reading…]

The value of the global environmental consultancy (EC) market reached US$ 27.5 billion (£ 17.7 billion) in 2014, down 4.1% over the previous year, according to the latest report by business intelligence provider Environment Analyst. The sector lagged global economic growth (3.4% in 2014) mainly due to the impact of the international mining sector downturn,[continue reading…]

Virtually everything that environmental, health, and safety (EHS) professionals write contains numbers, but how many people know the proper way to style (write-out) numbers in text? Mark Nichols’ article, How to Style Numbers, which appeared on the website Daily Writing Tips, provides an excellent refresher. According to Nichols, the two most important style guides are[continue reading…]

Do you have wireless cell phone or broadband antennas on your properties? If so, this recent enforcement notice might apply to you. Although the monetary penalty was levied against the telecom company that owned the equipment, the notice highlights safety concerns that might be unmanaged at similar locations.

Safety isn’t Job 1, as so often claimed. If safety were Job 1, we’d never leave the house. We’d never cross a street. We’d never get in a car or on a plane. If safety were Job 1, companies would go out of business rather than send employees out to drill for oil, mine iron[continue reading…]

Some sustainability professionals are lucky. They work for CEOs who, for one reason or another, “get” sustainability. Their CEOs may have been exposed to sustainability issues by their customers, by their predecessors or even by their grandchildren. Some may have made the pilgrimage to Bentonville and taken the oath (though they may not be sure[continue reading…]

Use of electronic hazardous waste manifests (e-Manifests) came one step closer in the United States on January 15th when the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) issued a final rule authorizing the use of e-Manifests. This will allow the current process, which requires paper forms, to be streamlined and greatly reduce the millions of paper manifests[continue reading…]

People, like machinery, tend to break down in extreme conditions. As temperatures rise, productivity falls, safety becomes questionable and comfort is no longer. Heat stress is defined as a group of conditions that result from being overly exposed to heat or overexertion in excessive ambient temperatures, a common occurrence in industrial spaces during the summer[continue reading…]